The West Central Georgia Red Cross will offer free CPR training to the public at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. April 17 at Freedom Hall.
This year's theme for the annual event is "Each 1 Save 1."
The Fort Benning event comes after the first training day, which was held March 20 at Columbus State University in observance of American Red Cross Month in March. American Red Cross Health and Safety Director Sandra Grant said 254 people were trained that day.
"We are trying to get that same amount on Fort Benning," she said.
Paul Rousseau, a training instructor for the Directorate of Emergency Services, said completing the training is worthwhile. The former police officer said he administered CPR during a sporting event once and sustained a fellow player's life until he was taken to the hospital.
"Experiences like that really make you feel good because you know you're not doing training just for the sake of training," he said. "Keeping somebody alive - there's no greater (reward)."
CPR keeps blood flowing to the organs and manually pumps the heart.
In Rousseau's case, knowing how to administer the technique can mean the difference between life and death, said Michele Walton, American Red Cross Fort Benning station coordinator.
"For every cardiac emergency where CPR is given, the chances of survival are raised by 10 percent per minute," Walton said.
Grant said the organization has trained children as young as 7.
"Our goal is train at least one person in every household on life-saving skills," she said. "Once you learn these skills, you are able to recognize the emergency and at least try to sustain life until an advanced person gets there."
Those who complete the course and pass the written test will receive adult CPR and automated external defibrillator, or AED, certifications that are valid for one year.
For more information or to pre-register, call 706-545-5194 or 706-323-5614 by Friday.
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